Auburn freshman Vance Smith smiles when asked to describe himself as a tight end.
“Blocking, most definitely, because that’s all I did in high school, really,” Smith says. Then he turns serious and says he has a lot of work ahead of him to become an impact player in first-year offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s system.
As Smith finished his playing career at Pace (Fla.) High School, it didn’t really matter who was the Auburn offensive coordinator. Smith was going to Auburn. Kent Smith, his father and the defensive coordinator at Pace, graduated from Auburn and Vance grew up an Auburn fan.
“Having a father as a coach, Vance Smith said, meant he had a new challenge every day.
“He stayed on me all the time and made me work hard,” said Smith, 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. “I know, without him, I wouldn’t be here.”
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VANCE SMITH
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Position: TE
High
school:
Pace (Fla.)
Height: 6-5 Weight: 240
Notes
of interest:
Had 10 receptions and 130 receiving yards with two
TD catches as a senior ... Named to the 4A All-State third team as a
defensive lineman as a senior ... Caught 11 passes for 162 yards with three
touchdowns as a junior ... Didn't play football until ninth grade … Father,
Kent, graduated from Auburn.
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As a senior at Pace, Smith finished with just 10 receptions. That’s not to say he wasn’t a good receiver. Pace simply prided itself on its run game. In fact, Smith would have likely flown under the radar if he hadn’t attended Auburn’s summer camp before his senior year.
Pace coach Mickey Lindsey says Auburn has a tough, hard-working football player.
“He’s a very physical, tough kid,” Lindsey said. “He has a great work ethic. He’s a coach’s son, so he’s been around the game his whole life. His greatest asset is his mental toughness and work ethic.”
Here is how
ESPN and Scouts Inc. evaluated Smith during recruiting season last year:
Smith flashes quality skill in both the run and pass game at tight end. He possesses a solid frame and utilizes it in short-to-intermediate routes. He makes a living slipping off his block and finding open drag space on the play-action boot. Flashes reliable hands. Makes soft grabs on the run, often behind his body. Extends over his head and away from his frame when needed. Not overly smooth but is a savvy route runner. He finds the zone behind the linebackers and uses a subtle push off on smaller defenders. Does not possess the speed to stretch a defense but uses his long stride to deceptively turn upfield and gain yards. However, we would like to see him become more of a threat after the catch. It does not appear he possesses the fast-twitched athleticism to become a burner. He might benefit from bulking up his frame and becoming the tight end who can drag the pile. On occasion, he goes down with solo tackles from defensive secondary players. Is far from a polished in-line blocker but shows good potential. Leans more than he drives. Needs to play with solid base and explode through the hips. We would like to see him build up his upper body so he can consistently lock out and control defenders. Hands are soft, but he needs to make plays off poorly-thrown balls, not just the catch them. Smith needs to polish up his game in both facets to become a worthy prospect. We currently project him as a potential blocking tight end in a double tight end system.
Tomorrow: Cornerback Harry Edwards
